As we celebrate the holiday season with loved ones, I am reminded of the many blessings that all of you bring to the patients and families of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Your caring hearts, your commitment, your dedication and your generosity are, quite truly, unsurpassed and mean the world to the children and families who turn to St. Jude for hope and healing after a diagnosis of cancer or another life-threatening disease.
I recently had the honor of seeing those blessings come to life on a remarkable and beautiful December day in Memphis, when 25,000 people took to the streets during the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend to raise funds and awareness for St. Jude. These are people just like you — they came from 49 states and from around the world to participate in one of the races of this special day, bringing with them their passion for the mission of St. Jude: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is incredibly moving to view this sea of caring individuals as they fill the streets, taking step after step for St. Jude.
More than 25,000 people took to the streets during the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend to raise funds and awareness for St. Jude.
But what was especially humbling to me this year was the incredible participation of those closest to the St. Jude mission. More than 800 participants were a St. Jude patient or a family member. More than 140 of our St. Jude Heroes® teams were made up of St. Jude patients and their families.
Patients like Daniel, who took his first baby steps as a patient at St. Jude and returned this year as a young man to run his first marathon. Or Adam, whose fundraising team Adam’s Army has now raised more than $500,000 for St. Jude. Or Chandler, a high-school student not long out of treatment who made good on last year’s promise to run the half marathon in 2017.
St. Jude patient Chandler recently completed treatment and ran in the half marathon.
St. Jude patient Daniel returned this year to run his first marathon.
St. Jude patient Adam and his fundraising team, Adam's Army, have raised more than $500,000 for St. Jude.
St. Jude patient Madison was treated for Hodgkin lymphoma, and returned to run in the 5K race.
But you should know that each and every one of you crossed that finish line on Dec. 2 with Daniel and Adam and Chandler – and with every St. Jude patient and their family. Even if you weren’t in Memphis on that inspiring day, your support makes the lifesaving research of St. Jude possible; your generosity ensures the very best in patient care and treatment.
This holiday season, we celebrate the blessing that you are a part of our St. Jude family. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all that you do for St. Jude, and I wish you the very best in the coming new year.
![ALSAC President and CEO Richard J. Shadyac Jr. takes part in the Memphis Marathon](/content/sites/www/en_US/home/about-st-jude/stories/making-a-difference/ceo-columns/holiday-blessings/jcr:content/par-1/cnt_wrapper/par-1/cnt_image.img.16.medium.jpg/1513104987456.jpg)
ALSAC President and CEO Richard J. Shadyac Jr. was one of the 25,000 runners during the Memphis Marathon Weekend, running alongside St. Jude patients like Chandler (featured left in the white cap).
You, too, can make a difference for St. Jude kids.
Read more inspiring stories
-
Cultural navigator brings new level of support to international families
Cultural navigation is important in providing exceptional care for international families at St. Jude. Find out how the hospital helps these families.
-
Challenges Can’t Keep Jolly Down
Jolly Green tackles severe aplastic anemia thanks to St. Jude, faith, and family. Read his story.
-
Patient reflects on 60th anniversary as childhood cancer survivor
Patient reflects on her 60th anniversary as a childhood cancer survivor
-
From Pain Crises to Good Vibes
Rashawn Hendrix
-
Patient finds support, help and hope for Friedrich’s ataxia
Taylor Hurdle is taking part in a clinical trial for Friedreich’s ataxia at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
-
Finding Hope in Clinical Trials
A medulloblastoma clinical trial offered hope to 7-year-old Kinlee Johnson and her family. Learn more.
-
Family chooses St. Jude because of SAMD9/SAMD9L researcher
Family chooses St. Jude for care because of its expertise in SAMD9/SAMD9L syndrome.
-
Participating in clinical trials to help cure the next person
Patients like Corey Luellen have benefitted from gene editing for sickle cell disease. Luellen participated in a clinical trial for the treatment because he wanted to help others.
-
Insights Learned Through Cancer Experience Now Help Others
St. Jude survivor Tristan Elsener has survived multiple bouts of cancer. He and his family have gained insights that can help others. Learn about the Caregivers Share podcast.
-
Research may help Camille take her first steps
Research conducted by the Center for Experimental Neurotherapeutics may help patients like Camille, who has type 2 spinal muscular atrophy, gain the ability to walk.
-
Surviving childhood cancer is just the beginning of Darshana’s story
Darshana Magan survived cancer 30 years ago, but her treatment caused long-term health issues. Read how she cares for her health and encourages other survivors.
-
Molecular diagnostics give Fletcher what some thought impossible: a diagnosis and treatment plan
Molecular diagnostics give Fletcher Fazenbaker what some thought impossible: a diagnosis and treatment plan for infant-type hemispheric glioma (IHG), a subtype of high-grade glioma — a rare brain tumor — that was not classified by the World Health Organization’s brain tumor classification guide until 2021
-
Perspective from the courtside
USA Pickleball Association President Jack Thomas knows the good work of USAPA’s designated charity, St. Jude. His grandson was a patient.
-
Flipping for St. Jude
Brianna was inspired by a television commercial for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to lead a Push-up/Pull-up Challenge fundraiser at her school.
-
Generations of giving
This multi-generational family is devoted to raising money for St. Jude. Find out the many ways they are giving back.